A homosexual man has filed a $70 million lawsuit against Bible publishers Zondervan and Thomas Nelson, alleging that their version of the Bible that refers to homosexuality as a sin violates his constitutional rights and has caused him emotional distress.
Bradley LaShawn Fowler, an ex-con turned author, filed the federal suit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan on Monday, the same day a judge refused to appoint him a lawyer for his suit against Thomas Nelson, The Grand Rapids Press reported.
"The Court has some very genuine concerns about the nature and efficacy of these claims," the judge wrote.
Fowler, who is representing himself in both cases, claims that Zondervan manipulated Scripture by using the term "homosexuals" in 1 Corinthians 6:9 of their 1982 and 1987 revised edition Bibles. He also contends that the reference to homosexuality were deleted by the publisher in later versions without informing the public.
He alleges that since the older Kings James Version containing the term "homosexuals" is used by his family pastor, he has been outcast by his family.
The 39-year-old is suing the Grand Rapids publisher for compensation of 20 years of "emotional duress and mental instability," he told WOOD-TV in Grand Rapids.
In a hand-written suit, Fowler lists all sorts of charges against Zondervan including malicious negligence, strict liability, malice, libel, and violating his civil rights. He filed a suit in June against Tennessee-based publisher Thomas Nelson on similar grounds. He's seeking $60 million from Zondervan and $10 million from Thomas Nelson Publishing.
Zondervan issued a statement to The Christian Post that said they do not discuss ongoing litigation. The company's spokesperson Tara Powers, however, pointed out that they only publish Bibles, not translate them.
"Since Zondervan does not translate the Bible or own the copyright for any of the translations we publish, we are not in a position to comment on the merits of how a word should or should not be translated," said Powers.
"We rely on the scholarly judgment of the highly respected and credible translation committees behind each translation and never alter the text of the translations we are licensed to publish. We only publish credible translations produced by credible biblical scholars," she noted.
According to Fowler, Zondervan has 20 days to respond to the claims listed.
Comments
"abominable lifestyle" LOL.The Bible can be used to lable the lifestyle of a good number of Christians in the USA as abominable and,much of the history of the USA can be labeled as abominable as well.This lawsuit is the result of Christians persecuting others based on personal faith beliefs
This really shows us our place in the world as the children of God doesn't it? Jesus told us that we would be hated. Remember though, this guy is up against the Lord of the Universe. GO ZONDERVAN. STAY TRUE TO THE WORD OF GOD! This lunatic will pay for his his evil and denial of it.
Let this be a warning to all of you. The liberals and secularists are winning the battle not against religion, but against Christianity specifically. The reason for this is because too many "Christians" have been apathetic to politics and litigation procedures. The world knows this, and they exploit us for it. Why do you think we are seeing gay marriage happen, abortion, divorce in record numbers (even among Christians). My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Remember the heart of Paul for the church.
It's time for the "light of the world," the children of God to start taking action against this evil. I encourage all of you, brothers and sisters, to start paying attention to what's going on around you. We've got major issues surrounding us and we need to lead the world in taking action against evil.
Blessings to you,
Matthew
I think we need to drop the "ex" from the ex-con title. This is as obsurd as filing a suit against the great, great Grandchildren of John Steinbeck because he found the book "Of Mice and Men" offensive to mentally disabled people.
Maybe this man should take God to court and put Him on trial. The reason he is suffering so much emotional distress is:
1. he didn't want to retain God in his knowledge.
2. He exchanged the truth of God for a lie.
3. He serves the creature more than the Creator.
4. He is burned in his lust for other men.
5. He exchanged the natural use of the woman for that which is not convenient.
6. God gave him up in heart, mind, and body.
7. He takes pleasure in this nonsense with others that are likeminded.
8. He knows that he is worthy of death because he continues in it.
How can I say these things, it's because I have God's Word on it.
Rom 1:24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves:
Rom 1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshiped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
Rom 1:26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
Rom 1:27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet.
Rom 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
Rom 1:29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
Rom 1:30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
Rom 1:31 Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
Rom 1:32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
It's not too late to repent as long as he has the breath of life in his nostrils!
Kass- let's take it one step further...was it the Bible or how it was used as an excuse to alienate him from the family? It seems to be a matter of the family not understanding the Bible.
The point here is how much this person was hurt by rejection from his parents and his community. He's obviously mentally ill. They seem to me to be really drawn to centers of power like the law, banks, universities - or anywhere they might get help, like church or counseling. and not going to "get rich." A handwritten legal petition from a traumatized mentally ill person isn't something to worry about with the law, but with one's own conscience.
"Because 1 Corinthians 6:10 says that no drunkards will enter the kingdom of God either."
Proverbs 31:6-7 says, "Give strong drink to him who is perishing, and wine to to those who are bitter of heart. Let him dringk and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more."
Ephesians 5:18-19 says "And do not be drunk with wind, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another inpsalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord"
The drunkards are those who do not have the hope found in the Holy Spirit through Jesus the Christ. We don't need to find relief from the misery of life in the bottom of a bottle...all the relief we need is found in the Spirit (and I'm conservative!). This how alchoholics can recover through the hope found in Christ. It's how people can recover from all types of sin including homosexuality.
SAFox - welcome! I think you're going to fit right in.
It does seem the more sin Christians accept from themselves the further sin itself will go. A little leaven....
I think many of us saw this coming. If he were to win, then the courts might say that certain things in the Bible have to be taken out because some people find them offensive. Can anyone else see where this is headed? Meanwhile, we Christians are busy fighting among ourselves so that we don't see what is happening to us from the outside.
The same Word of God, the Bible, that Christians love is the one the world hates. I am praying that it is not taken away from us.
carpenter,
Romans 10:13-14
"13For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
14How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?"
carpenter,
What you missed is that any of us might be used by God to draw someone to Christ. So we need to evangelize, that people might come to Christ.
Don't forget the homosexual community is standing on the shoulders of us who have been fornicators & adulterers.
They would not be making such inroads so out of proportion to their numbers if it were not for the acceptance of 'straight' sex sin in US culture.
Fornication between 'straights' is far more rampant than homosexuality & is shoved in our faces all the time. Where is the protest over that as well?
Straight sex sin opened the door...are we surprised that homosexuals & NAMBLA want their perversions to be legitimized as well?
I was a sex sinner with the opposite sex. I had to repent. After living on both sides of the aisle I will stick with Jesus & His word. Has worked very well for me since 1969.
I do not judge this man. He is already judged, as are all who refuse Christ. I pray for him...that is all we are allowed to do, thought if we are living by the Word we can voice opposition to all such sins. I am not qualified to throw stones...
Sounds like some one is out to make a lot of bucks. If that is all it takes to get this guy in a lather...Gimma a break!!
Conscience bothering him? I wonder if murders, fornicators, thieves,liars, adulterers & others on the list are gonna jump on the band wagon. The Prez & most of Congress could get in line as well as the Bible has them for stealing & lying big time.
carpenter, that being the case than we no longer need to evanglize and share the plan of salvation with people since it is already a done deal as to who will be saved and who won't be saved?
The Bible says that Jeses said, no man comes unto the Father but by me. In John 6, Jeses says, no one comes to me unless the Father draws hin. Also in John 6, Jeses says, all that the Father gives me, will come to me, and ALL that come to me, I will not lose any of them. So with that said, GOD chooses who goes to heaven. GOD wrote your name in the Lambs Book of Life before HE made the world. Thank you.